How pedestrians, cyclists and drivers can get along a little better

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It's war out there as an ever-increasing number of drivers, pedestrians and cyclists compete for space on the world's roads.

Motor vehicle-related fatalities have been a fact of life since Irish scientist Mary Ward fell under the wheels of her cousin's steam-powered automobile in August 1869. She fell out of the vehicle as it hit a sharp curve — long before cars came with seat belts, air bags or even doors and drivers were distracted by GPS devices, cellphones or hot coffee spilling in their laps.

Traffic deaths in Canada have been trending downward since the early 1970s. ((World Health Organization))

Thirty years later, Henry Bliss stepped off a trolley in New York City, turned to help the woman he was accompanying and was hit by a taxi. He died later in hospital, becoming the first pedestrian to be killed by a motor vehicle.

The World Health Organization estimates that more than a million people die each year on the roads. In Canada, 2,889 people were killed in traffic accidents in 2006. More than 1,500 were drivers of cars or trucks, approximately 635 were passengers in cars or trucks, 375 were pedestrians and 87 were cyclists.

While the number of Canadians killed on the roads has been falling steadily since the early 1970s, the percentage of fatal accidents involving pedestrians killed has remained around 13 per cent. According to Transport Canada:

419 pedestrians were killed in 1999.

335 pedestrians were killed in 2001.

374 pedestrians were killed in 2006.

In the city of Toronto, eight pedestrians were killed in the first 26 days of 2010 compared to 31 for all of 2009. Six others died during the same period of January in the suburbs surrounding the city.

Pedestrian fatalities

Vancouver (2007)

13

Edmonton (2007)

13

Toronto (2007)

23

Montreal (2007)

24

New York City (2006)

157

Los Angeles (2006)

99

Chicago (2006)

48

Most pedestrian and cyclist deaths occur in urban areas, often during rush hour or at night. Most victims — more than 60 per cent — are male.

Gil Penalosa, transportation activist and the executive director of the agency 8-80 Cities, has been vocal in trying to make cities safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

Penalosa has advised organizations around the world on how to reduce the rate of accidents in urban areas. Among his recommendations are: